Code of Conduct
The code of conduct forms the legal and ethical behavioral standards for an organization to follow. It is the foundation in which ethical behavior in the workplace is explained. Gonzalez-Padron (2015) described the code of conduct as a method of guiding and developing an ethical culture. Employees are required to understand and acknowledge this code of conduct. There will be a zero-tolerance approach to violations of this code.
Organizational values
“International medical travel – more commonly known as ‘medical tourism’ – is the practice of traveling across international borders with the intention of accessing medical care, typically paid for out-of-pocket” (Snyder et al., 2017, p. 139). Being a medical tourism company, we need to treat all patients with dignity and respect. We support our communities and want to be well respected where we operate. Medical tourists traveling abroad face several risks: substandard care, difficulty receiving follow-up care at home, exposure to infectious diseases, and undermining continuity of care. Our organization values our patients, wants to minimize these risks, and strives to provide the best medical care possible.
Guidelines for acceptable behavior
Employees are required to make ethical decisions and protect the interests of the company. They must act with honesty and fairness. Employees are required to report any unethical behavior to a senior manager or the human resources department. Employees have a duty of loyalty to the company and should act in the best interest of the company.
Compliance with legislation
Company employees are required to observe all laws and regulations. If there are contradictory or stricter laws than what the company has in place, employees must comply with the laws and regulations. Employees may not falsify information on forms or records. Employees are required to report information and comply with litigation requests, complaints, and inquiries.
Examples of prohibited acts
Company employees shall not request or accept gifts, loans, or payments for themselves or others if it is meant to influence their duties or decisions. Employees shall not use confidential information for the private gain of the employee or any other person.
Company employees may not harass, invade the privacy of, intimidate, or interfere with another employee in a manner that is offensive. Employees may not engage in unprofessional behavior with other employees or customers. Employees may not engage in negligent or deliberate destruction or cause damage to the company’s property.
References:
Gonzalez-Padron, T. (2015). Business ethics and social responsibility for managers [Electronic version]. Retrieved from https://content.ashford.edu/
Snyder, J., Johnston, R., Rory, C, Valorie M., Morgan, J., Adams, K. (2017, June). How Medical Tourism Enables Preferential Access to Care: Four Patterns from the Canadian Context. Health Care Analysis, 25(2), 138-150.
